DiscoverPeople vs AlgorithmsSubstack As A Unicorn
Substack As A Unicorn

Substack As A Unicorn

Update: 2025-07-18
Share

Description

The valuation is a classic bet on potential vs reality, as Substack’s execution has been spotty. We unpack the bet on creating an OnlyFans-like network, presumably with less risqué content. Plus: the mini-pivot to livestreams, AI's brand problem with Gen Z, Google Discover gets compressed, the power shift to golf YouTube, and AI coming for Excel jockeys because nothing is sacred.

* Watch us on YouTube

* Troy Young's People vs Algorithms newsletter

* Brian Morrissey's The Rebooting newsletter

* Alex Schleifer's Human Computer

* Follow Alex, Brian and Troy on Twitter

Chapters:

* 00:00 Open

* 01:01 Welcome

* 07:49 Substack

* 16:28 OnlyFans

* 23:12 Free Press

* 30:01 Google Discover

* 34:31 Rufuss

* 36:09 TITV

* 43:31 AI Spreadsheet Maker

* 51:54 AI Slop

* 59:53 Good Product

* 01:05:52 Outro



This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.peoplevsalgorithms.com
Comments 
In Channel
Going Post-Truth

Going Post-Truth

2025-10-1701:02:34

Alex Was Right

Alex Was Right

2025-10-0357:25

A Good Racket

A Good Racket

2025-09-2601:02:04

Age of Extremes

Age of Extremes

2025-09-1901:01:27

Everything is Fine (Really)

Everything is Fine (Really)

2025-09-0501:11:40

AI Is Not Your Friend

AI Is Not Your Friend

2025-08-1547:20

Winners Take All

Winners Take All

2025-08-0101:16:25

Institutional Collapse

Institutional Collapse

2025-07-2501:07:04

Substack As A Unicorn

Substack As A Unicorn

2025-07-1801:06:53

The End of Advertising

The End of Advertising

2025-07-0401:00:50

The Substack Conundrum

The Substack Conundrum

2025-06-2754:47

AI Optimism in Cannes

AI Optimism in Cannes

2025-06-2045:31

The AI Overhang

The AI Overhang

2025-05-0901:08:38

Group Chat

Group Chat

2025-05-0201:24:05

Tech Bros With Mics

Tech Bros With Mics

2025-04-2501:11:18

The Media Singularity

The Media Singularity

2025-09-1201:03:21

Getting Mad At Toasters

Getting Mad At Toasters

2025-08-2201:08:00

loading
00:00
00:00
x

0.5x

0.8x

1.0x

1.25x

1.5x

2.0x

3.0x

Sleep Timer

Off

End of Episode

5 Minutes

10 Minutes

15 Minutes

30 Minutes

45 Minutes

60 Minutes

120 Minutes

Substack As A Unicorn

Substack As A Unicorn

Troy Young, Brian Morrissey, and Alex Schleifer